UAE’s Al Hajjaj finishes second in Fatima race

After her third place finish in Berlin, UAE amateur female jockey Shathra Al Hajjaj came close to winning the Swedish leg of the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Championship (IFAHR) race at the Taby race course in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Tuesday. Al Hajjaj on Sabka was in the lead but the much-fancied Serouda Du Breuil under Delaphine Garcia-Dubois did well to finish first and leave the UAE rider in second place. Twelve female jockeys from around the globe were competing in the 20,000-euro (Dh90,300) race being organised by the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. “I got a good start and looked like a winner but Sakba slowed down in the concluding stages of the race and was beaten to second place by half-a-length,” Al Hajjaj said.“I am hoping that I will soon be able to get on the winners enclosure but thanks to the Festival I have been able to pursue my dream and come close to realising it.” Abdullah Al Qubaisi, communications director at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture, said: “We thank Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Union for really giving a chance for women from everywhere. Her support proved that a UAE girl can compete and show that how tough she is and the proof is what Shathra has done today by finishing in second place. She lost only after a big fight.” Lara Seaway, Director of the Festival said: “We are proud of Shathra who came in with a fantastic performance. She is really a talented girl. She will be attending a leading European Association of Racing School in order to gain racing style and riding skills. “The Festival is going to great lengths to promote the Arabian horse racing across the world. It is very exciting to see the fans cheering the young ladies today.” from gulfnews.com